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Carl Allen
Allen says, "my ultimate goal is to get to a level like Art Blakey, Art Taylor, Elvin Jones and Billy Higgins and these cats who, every time they sit down behind a set of drums it's swinging. The power of swing is something else and once I get to that level everything else falls into place."
In a true Messenger (as in Art Blakey) state of mind, Allen began to extend Blakey's ideals into his efforts outside of Hubbard's band. In 1988, Allen co-founded Big Apple Productions (with altoist Vincent Herring), which through its production of several albums for labels in Japan (Alfa, King, Venus, Keystone Music International and others), introduced now rising stars like Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton and Cyrus Chestnut.
Allen maintains an exhaustive schedule of recording and touring. He remains active as a leader (most recently leading Carl Allen & The Art of Elvin - a musical tribute to Art Blakey and Elvin Jones), Carl Allen's Pilgrimage, New Spirit and as an in-demand sideman (recent recordings with Eric Reed, Vincent Herring, and many others).
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Carl Allen: Tippin'
by Pierre Giroux
Drummer Carl Allen's release Tippin' is an opportune occasion, as it is Allen's first album as a leader in over twenty years. For this storytelling experience, Allen brought together two luminaries of modern jazz: the internationally renowned bassist Christian McBride and the phenomenal horn player Chris Potter. The trio created a cohesive and compelling narrative, resulting in an album that stands out in its ability to balance spontaneity and structure. It is a free-flowing experience that feels both natural and ...
Continue ReadingBilly Higgins, Hank Jones, Benny Green & Carl Allen
by Joe Dimino
We launch the 892nd episode of Neon Jazz with a true jazz veteran--Carl Allen--who's back with his first album in decades. Tippin' (2025) marks his triumphant return, all while he continues shaping the next generation of jazz as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. This hour is packed with stories from his remarkable career and the jazz legends who shaped him--giants like Sonny Rollins, Benny Green, Billy Higgins, Art Blakey, and Charlie Parker. Along the ...
Continue ReadingCarl Allen: Tippin'
by Dan Bilawsky
Save for a pair of co-led albums with bassist Rodney Whitaker, it's been more than two decades since master drummer Carl Allen released an album under his own name. Rectifying the situation, he delivers this high-appeal, in-the-pocket trio program with bassist Christian McBride and tenor saxophonist Chris Potter. When choosing the personnel for Tippin', McBride was the obvious bass choice from the beginning. There's tremendous shared history here--McBride appears on more of the drummer's recordings than any ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Freeman: The Good Life
by Jack Bowers
For guitarist George Freeman, The Good Life has also been a long life. He was a nimble-fingered ninety-five-year-old plectrist when this splendid album was recorded in May and June 2022, which makes it all the more grievous to know it would be organ maestro Joey DeFrancesco's last recording date; he died of a heart attack some three months later at the relatively young age of fifty-one. Freeman leads two trios here, the first with DeFrancesco on organ ...
Continue ReadingMike Allen: To a Star
by Jack Bowers
If you're a tenor saxophonist leading a piano-less trio, much of the group's melodic and harmonic components rest squarely on your shoulders. In spite of that--or perhaps because of it--Canadian tenor Mike Allen says he prefers working within that framework, as he has been doing for many years. If that is one's choice, he may as well recruit as comrades in arms the best bassist and drummer available. On To a Star, Allen has done precisely that, ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride: Live at the Village Vanguard
by Edward Blanco
Bassist Christian McBride records his first live album with his highly-acclaimed quintet known as the Inside Straight, documenting an incredible evening of music on Live At The Village Vanguard. The album showcases outstanding performances from every member of the band. It is McBride's twelfth release on Mack Avenue and it was the Inside Straight quintet that began the bassist's collaboration with Mack Avenue in 2009. After a week-long sold-out debut appearance by the group at New York's jazz club in ...
Continue ReadingRenee Rosnes: Kinds of Love
by C. Andrew Hovan
When Canadian pianist Renee Rosnes decided to make her mark in the jazz world, she wasted no time, making an auspicious start as a member of Joe Henderson's all-female quartet in 1986. Fast forward thirty-five years and her career continues to advance on an upward trajectory. Her third offering for Smoke Sessions, Kinds of Love, is yet another brilliant showcase for Rosnes, both as a pianist and composer. The top tier ensemble assures sublime renditions of the composer's originals, with ...
Continue ReadingTrumpeter Joe Mazzaferro Releases Debut CD "In Terms Of..." with Jeff Clayton, Donald Brown and Carl Allen
Source:
Craig Neely
On February, 9th 2018 Sacramento CA native, trumpeter, composer, educator and arranger Joe Mazzaferro released his debut CD In Terms Of... on his own Joe Mazz Music label with special guest Jeff Clayton and featuring Donald Brown and Carl Allen! Joe Mazzaferro was raised in a musical household. As Joe states “both of my parents were musicians and me and my 3 sisters all played. My father is a retired high school band director (who still teaches) as well as ...
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EastWest JazzScene Concert: Carl Allen, John Beasley, Eric Revis, Ralph Moore and Marquis Hill at Blue Whale
Source:
John Beasley
Sunday, February 22, 9:00pm and 10:30pm sets. $20. New York drummer Carl Allen brings his scene to jny: Los Angeles to join pianist John Beasley to lead a quintent for some east-west action. Joining this prospect are east/west coasters bassist Eric Revis, saxophonist Ralph Moore and trumpeter Marquis Hill. Carl Allen’s profound and propulsive percolations provided soulful and syncopated playing with Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Jennifer Holliday, J.J. Johnson, Rickie Lee Jones, Sammy Davis Jr., Branford Marsalis, Kenny ...
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Carl Allen/Rodney Whitaker Project To Perform Music From Their Mack Avenue Cd Work To Do, At Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, November 9-14
Source:
DL Media
"Work to Do features reworked pop-classics and originals that range from achingly beautiful tunes to those possessing an energized post-bop feel." - All About Jazz “On Work To Do, rhythm section par excellence Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker tap into their roots and offer an engaging and user-friendly repertoire that includes standards, pop classics, soul music, gospel influences, and post-bop originals...crafting music that keeps listeners tapping their toes, snapping their fingers and generally having a good time." - Audiophile Audition ...
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Recent Jazz Session Podcasts: Carl Allen, Terence Blanchard, Gene Ludwig, Bill Anschell, Avery Sharpe and More!
Source:
Michael Ricci
In case you missed one of our recent Jazz Session Podcasts by Jason Crane, click any of the links below to tune in. We've posted 7 new interviews in the last 2+ weeks.
Enjoy!
Steve Kuhn (51:47) Posted: 2009-08-28 Steve Kuhn's new album, Mostly Coltrane (ECM, 2009), pays tribute to John Coltrane, with whom Kuhn worked for several weeks in the early 60s. In this interview, Kuhn talks ...
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B.J. Jansen Interviewed Carl Allen on the Jazz Life
Source:
JM Creative
B.J. Jansen Interviewed Drummer Carl Allen on The Jazz Life. This interview is Part 11 of Jansen's Jazz Industry Talks, exploring the future of the Jazz Industry behind the music. Jansen created his show, “The Jazz Life," to bring audiences to the next generation of jazz artists who struggle to receive airplay in the United States. The programming format of “The Jazz Life" features brand new content from artists who actively perform ...
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The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project - This Friday! Rubin Museum-NYC
Source:
Two for the Show Media
Drummer/Composer, Carl Allen & Bassist/Composer, Rodney Whitaker will be bringing The Carl Allen-Rodney Whitaker Project to the Rubin Museum this Friday February 29th, 2008 as part of the Harlem in the Himalayas series at the Rubin Museum. Carl Allen - Drums Rodney Whitaker - Bass Antonio Hart - Alto & soprano saxophone Aaron Goldeberg - Piano Rodney Jones - Guitar February 29, 2008- Showtime- 7:00 PM Admission $18 in advance/$20 ...
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Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker CD Release Party Monday, June 11th at Sweet Rhythm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE MACK AVENUE RELEASE OF CARL ALLEN AND RODNEY WHITAKER MONDAY, JUNE 11TH SWEET RHYTHM 88 7TH AVENUE SOUTH NEW YORK, NY (212) 255-3626 SET TIMES: 8 & 10 PM
CARL ALLEN - DRUMS RODNEY WHITAKER - BASS GEORGE COLLIGAN - PIANO STEVE WILSON - SAXOPHONES RODNEY JONES - GUITAR
“They've created ...
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Carl Allen & New Spirit Friday & Saturday April 6 & 7 @ Sweet Rhythm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Carl Allen & New Spirit Friday & Saturday April 6 & 7, 2007 at Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South (at Bleeker St) New York, NY 10014 212-255-3626 http://www.sweetrhythmny.com/ 8pm - 10pm & 12 Midnight
featuring: Carl Allen - Drums Vincent Herring - Saxophones Aaron Goldberg - Piano Christian McBride - Bass
“Aggressive without being intrusive, Allen balances ...
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Carl Allen & New Spirit Friday & Saturday January 5th & 6th @ Sweet Rhythm 8pm - 10pm & 12 Midnight
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Carl Allen & New Spirit Friday & Saturday January 5th & 6th, 2007 @ Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South (at Bleeker St) New York, NY 10014 212-255-3626 http://www.sweetrhythmny.com/ 8pm - 10pm & 12 Midnight
featuring: Carl Allen - Drums Vincent Herring - Saxophones Aaron Goldberg - Piano Christian McBride - Bass
“Aggressive without being intrusive, Allen balances ...
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Photos
Music
Moments With You
From: AloneBy Carl Allen
Ale
From: My Other VoiceBy Carl Allen
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Carl Allen
Instrument: Drums
Born: April 25, 1961
